Back to School Means Access to Job Training and Education Assistance Programs at McDonald’s

September 3, 2016

McDonald’s expands Archways to Opportunity program for employees

Verleana Hodges is an assistant manager at the Cedarburg McDonald’s. She is a graduate of Riverside High School in Milwaukee and is scheduled to graduate from Argosy University later this year with a degree in public relations. She has been a McDonald’s crew member since 2009.

MILWAUKEE –With back to school season already taking shape across Southeast Wisconsin, thousands of teenagers, college students and other young people will be looking for the right job—flexible schedule, additional income and the chance to learn important job skills. To help young people achieve these goals, the Owner/Operators of 125 McDonald’s restaurants in Southeastern Wisconsin are committed to providing world-class training and development opportunities in a fun environment that encourages continuous learning.

“At McDonald’s, we want to meet people where they are and help them unlock their full potential. Working at McDonald’s is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to learn valuable skills and get ahead,” said Jeffrey Steren, owner of 12 McDonald’s restaurants in Milwaukee and Racine counties. “We believe that education is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We want to provide resources for employees that benefit not only their professional lives but their personal lives as well.”

In 2015, McDonald’s launched Archways to Opportunity, its workforce education program. Through Archways to Opportunity, eligible employees have the chance to enroll in a number of programs that provide access to high school completion courses, college tuition assistance, college credits, and advising services or English as a second language. Since April 2015, local McDonald’s Owner/Operators have provided $29,800 in tuition assistance and support for participating employees to achieve their high school diplomas and college degrees.

In addition to providing workforce development and education support, McDonald’s recently increased employee eligibility for the Archways to Opportunity program. Employees who worked a collective nine months in their local McDonald’s restaurant, now have an opportunity to receive tuition assistance for the college of their choice or work toward earning an accredited high school diploma. The policy change allows employees that work at participating McDonald’s restaurants on a seasonal basis to qualify, including students who worked several summer seasons during high school.

For more information about career opportunities with McDonald’s and the Archways to Opportunity program, please visit www.McDonalds.com/Opportunity.